In a music rut? Or want to know what’s hot in the college music world? The KWVA music blog is your solution!
The KWVA music blog is a creative space for all musically curious folks. You’ll find coverage of station and local events, album reviews, interviews with local bands, oh-so-perfectly curated playlists, the weekly charts so you know what’s cutting edge, and more music-related topics.
Attend the 2019 Music Industry Fair!
We interrupt your normally scheduled KWVA Music Blog content to bring you a special announcement!
Are you passionate about music? Do you write, listen, or talk about music in your free time? Are you hoping to land a career in the music industry after you graduate?
Come network with over 30 music-related businesses and organizations at the 2019 Music Industry Fair, put on by the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance!
Students will have the opportunity to get one-on-one advice from music business veterans about everything from how to book gigs, to navigating the ins and outs of music licensing, running a non-profit arts organization, or starting your own entrepreneurial entertainment venture.
Day: Friday, February 15th
Time…
Read MoreTrack Review: "Wandering Alone," by Torbjorn feat. Vicci Martinez (From "Orange Is the New Black")
This week's post is a track review by DJ BZB, also known as Bianca Sandoval! Bianca is a senior studying art and technology at UO. She has been a DJ at KWVA for nearly two years, and has her own music project on the side.
Track Review: "Wandering Alone"
Whenever I see a celebrity feature on a track, I tend to assume the worst. Coco T, Paris Hilton, whatever poor soul you would find later that week on The Soup. Vicci Martinez is different.
Martinez is most recognizable as "Daddy" in Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black. Hailing from Tacoma, WA., Martinez has been recording since 2011 after her appearance on The Voice. (She was on Cee-Lo Green’s team!) This track, released in January of this year, has been advertised along side Martinez’s casting on Orange Is The New Black, but to be honest, I feel like it shortens her accomplishments. Though she came in third on The Voice, she's really…
Read MoreAndrew Trott's (DJ Trott) Top 10 Hip-Hop/Soul Records of 2018
This week's blog post is submitted by Andrew Trott, also known by his DJ name, DJ Trott! (Seen above.) His show, Trott's Spot, is Saturday night 10pm-Midnight. It has a Lo-Fi feel and features live mixing, primarily of hip-hop and jazz, and are often all vinyl. He considers himself a student of hip-hop and was inspired to major in philosophy after listening to so much Wu-Tang Clan. Trott is also an office assistant at KWVA. Tune in Saturday nights for an unmatched experience that "emphasizes the raw and authentic to keep your Saturday night right." Plus, call in during his show at (541)-346-0645 to "get a shoutout for you and your crew as you're cruising the town." ;)
This post is a little late, as it is now February, but the new year is still fresh! Here are Andrew's Top 10 Hip-Hop/R&B Albums & EP’s of 2018.
10. JPEGMAFIA - Veteran
This is…
Read MoreDJ Spotlight: Blake Andrews (DJ B)
DJ spotlights are a great way for you to meet the awesome students and community members behind the voices you hear on KWVA each day. Stay tuned for a DJ Spotlight every few weeks, and if you’re a DJ who’d like to be featured, email Sophie.
This week's DJ Spotlight highlights Blake Andrews, also known as DJ B. He's hosted a regular KWVA show called Poplar Knull since 2012, although it's currently on hiatus. He lives with his wife and 3 teenage sons on 7 acres near Spencer Butte.
KWVA Music Blog: Where are you from?
Blake: I grew up near Redway on the North Coast of California. Redwood/Marijuana country. The nearest radio station was about 60 miles away, and it wasn't a very good one. But they did play Dr. Demento every Sunday evening. That was my first inkling…
Read MoreAlbum Review: The Hugs' "Love You To Death"
This week's post comes to you from KWVA DJ Evan Lawrence, AKA DJ Extrathicc. Evan is a musician, student, chef, artist, and amateur music critic. Playing music since the age of 11, he's learned from master musicians all over his native Eugene. Evan is an invariable source of knowledge of all genres of music of all time periods, and is currently set to graduate from the University of Oregon in the Winter 2019 term. Evan makes work for himself in every arena of music from writing reviews to building equipment. Here's his exclusive review of The Hugs' unreleased, upcoming record.
The Hugs: Love You To Death
Portland power pop trio The Hugs, formed by Danny Delegato in 2007, are set to release their new album, Love You To Death this spring. The record was recorded in The Dandy Warhols recording studio in Portland, and was mixed partly by Sonny DiPerri, who has worked with Trent Reznor, Animal…
Read MoreDJ Spotlight: Bobby Schenk (Reggae Rob)
DJ spotlights are a great way for you to meet the awesome students and community members behind the voices you hear on KWVA each day. Stay tuned for a DJ Spotlight every few weeks, and if you’re a DJ who’d like to be featured, email Sophie.
This week's DJ Spotlight highlights someone we all know and love at KWVA, Bobby!
Bobby Schenk, a senior graduating this year, is studying Journalism and Cinema Studies with a minor in Music Technology. Bobby started DJing when he was 15, working at KRCC 91.5 in his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He got involved with KWVA the first week of his freshman year at UO, and has been working there ever since.
Schenk became the Assistant Programming Director in January 2016, eventually becoming the Programming Director for the station. He is one of the co-founders of the Music Industry Collective, a group designed to…
Read MoreDJ B's Top Dream Pop Albums of 2018
This week's blog post comes from our very own DJ B, AKA Brooke. Brooke is studying Advertising with a focus in art direction and design. Her show, "Into the Void," is one of KWVA's featured programs this winter. "Into the Void" broadcasts shoegaze, dream pop, psychedelic and other vacuum related noises. Tune in on Thursdays from 10 p.m. to midnight!
Here are her six favorite dream pop records from 2018...
(Note: some images may appear blurry on some devices. We are working to fix that glitch ASAP!)
1. Weyes Blood: Front Row Seat to Earth
This record didn’t come out this year, nor does is it really fall in the dream-pop realm of things, but I’m going for it. While listening to this record, Weyes Blood killed me and then proceeded to resurrect my soul. Her delicate ‘60s sounds also deliver a punch in the gut only to make you cry not from pain, but from how beautiful her…
Read MoreConcert Review: Calvin Johnson, Maria de Hart, and Mouth Mouth at the Wandering Goat
“A Historic Moment of Intense Grooviness:” Calvin Johnson, Maria de Hart, and Mouth Mouth at Wandering Goat
Concert Review by Anna Brown (DJ Alright)
On Saturday, Nov. 17, The Wandering Goat coffee shop played host for two local, DIY driven Eugene events-- the Euzine Fest, featuring zine media from across the country and Eugene, and the Euzine Fest After-party.
Maria de Hart is a duo consisting of Maria herself on guitar and vocals, and bassist Charlie, hailing from Corvallis and Albany, respectively. Maria’s lyrics are dreamy and soft, cushioned by guitar loops and quiet, interwoven bass lines. As Calvin Johnson explained later in the set, Maria’s name comes from the fact that “she sings her heart out… but it got shortened to ‘de Hart.’ People are lazy.” Read More
The Power of Music In Film: An Interview with Anna Maestas
“Whenever I make videos, I rely heavily on the music I incorporate. I think the reason why people get so emotional over films is the combination of a visual and music component--without both, it just wouldn’t be the same.” -Anna Maestas
By day, Anna Maestas is a sophomore at the University of Oregon studying journalism. By night, Anna directs and produces a series of moody, heartbreakingly beautiful short films. The first episode of her video series, “Would You Like to Leave a Message?,” premiered just last month. The film, inspired by and centered around a real voicemail submitted by Anna's friend, is as tragic as it is visually stunning. The accompanying track, Perfume Genius’ “Otherside” builds the film to an incredible climax, leaving the viewer with a sense of mutual longing and sympathy for the actors on screen. “Otherside” fits perfectly in terms of content and rhythm, complimenting the… Read More